It is difficult to imagine the plight. Is there a way, some of us could join hands and create a fund to help the needy.Perhaps create a micro financing system,that can help some of them who could get a job and pay back or if they are entrepreneurial and they could attempt and succeed.
There are jobs outside the US,I have met youngsters from the UK and US who work here in India in the IT and Financial companies for reasons such as this. perhaps the qualified can temporarily get a reprieve until the economy becomes better, make sure there is a predictable job and earnings.
Some or many of us could join hands to explore how we could help and if there is a possibility act on it.
All these may be wild thoughts, but a lot of things are possible if we could try .Even a small up-liftment may be of significant help.